Cloak & Daggers - 6abc Loves the Arts
August 19, 2016 (WPVI) -- A new theatre company in Philadelphia is bringing Broadway to Penn's Landing and giving back to the community in a way like never before.
Cloak & Daggers Theatre Company was formed in March by a group of local theatre enthusiasts who hope to use the arts to raise money for local charities.
Now just 6 months after its founding, the organization is already tackling 7 shows in its first season.
"Collectively, we have about 175 years of community theater experience," says Vincent Thompson, producer and a founding member of the company. He says their mission is to benefit local charities through one-of-a-kind theatre productions, "what better way to raise money for your charity that you like then to come and watch a Broadway show?"
Thompson says the performances can earn them up to $15,000 per show and more than 80% of those proceeds go to charities like MANNA and Alex's Lemonade Stand, "the music that we're going to have is going to be the quality of the shows that you see downtown... so it's amazing."
Showtune is running through August 28th and it's fittingly raising money for Women Against Abuse.
"Showtune is all of the music of Jerry Herman," says Thompson, "it's all about his strong women characters: Mame, Dolly, Mabel."
Come to see Evita starting in late September and you'll be supporting the St. Christopher's Foundation for Children.
Evita, set in Argentina during World War II, tells the life story of Eva Peron. "She became one of the most influential women in Argentina and we're really trying to make sure that it's a quality show with high level dance and energy," says Thompson who adds, "just by coming and having fun, you're going to give somebody else the opportunity to have a meal, to a have a surgery, have a camp in the summer."
Cloak & Daggers performs Showtune thru August 28th and Evita from September 22nd to October 2nd at the Penn's Landing Playhouse inside The Independence Seaport Museum.
For details, visit www.cloakanddaggers.org.
